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PBPC Newsletter September 1, 2023
Welcome to the Plant Based Products Council Newsletter! If you have friends or colleagues interested in our industry, please let them know to sign up for our newsletter. Then, read on for the latest in PBPC news and activities, as well as some of the amazing innovations, trends, and developments happening right now in the sustainability and bioeconomy world! If you missed our last edition, read the August 18 newsletter here.
HOUSE INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICAN BIOMANUFACTURING
Last month, Congressman Mark Alford and Congresswoman Angie Craig introduced H.R. 5134, The Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act. As a companion bill to S. 2452, it aims to strengthen the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred program. This legislation would do the following:
- Strengthen markets for farmers while also supporting good-paying manufacturing jobs
- Allow the Secretary of Agriculture to set acceptable price premiums under the program
- Require each federal agency to increase their procurement of biobased-only contracts or biobased volume purchased under those contracts
- Improve reporting of biobased products that are purchased through online federal procurement systems
In response to the bill, PBPC’s Jessica Bowman said, “The creation of a more circular bioeconomy through greater adoption of renewable, plant-based material is the mission of PBPC, and we’re thankful to have partners like Representatives Alford and Craig in Congress. Together, we can ensure the U.S. remains competitive globally by focusing more of our efforts on the bioeconomy.” Learn more about the legislation via Rep. Alford’s press release, which features a quote from Jessica.
PBPC IS HIRING! IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR A MANAGER OF SUSTAINABILITY & WORKPLACE SAFETY
The Manager of Sustainability & Workplace Safety supports the development and execution of policy regarding sustainability, environmental affairs, and workplace safety issues for the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) and the Corn Refiners Association (CRA). This newly created role offers broad exposure to a range of policy issues confronting two leading agricultural trade associations. For more information, please visit the careers page of our website.
BPI COMPOSTABLE PRODUCTS, FOOD WASTE, & CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT: SEPT. 13-14
PBPC is pleased to sponsor BPI’s first event, the 2023 BPI Summit! As North America’s leading certifier in compostable products, BPI will bring their members, manufacturers, composters, and interested guests together for an in-depth discussion on the composting industry.
Join PBPC and BPI to talk about the intersectionality between compostable products, food waste, and climate change through panel discussions, keynote speakers, and more. Learn more on BPI’s website.
BIOPLASTICS WEEK & INNOVATION IN BIOPLASTICS AWARD OPPORTUNITY
PLASTICS Bioplastics Division will host the eighth annual Bioplastics Week from Oct. 2- 6, 2023. Bioplastics Week is a social media campaign created to increase visibility for bioplastics by driving digital conversations via social media posts that feature materials such as infographics, reports, blog posts, and videos. It serves as an opportunity to educate consumers and the plastics industry about bioplastics. You will find the event website here. PBPC is proud to support Bioplastics Week and will be engaging on social media.
SAVE THE DATE! PBPC 2024: CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCED
Save the date for PBPC’s second annual conference, PBPC 2024: Circular Solutions! Held in Omaha, NE from Apr. 8-10, 2024, PBPC 2024: Circular Solutions will bring members, industry leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders together in the heart of America’s bioeconomy to discuss today’s bioproducts landscape and what lies ahead for the industry. Mark your calendars today!
Read a recap of the 2023 PBPC Conference: Circular Solutions.
PBPC’S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Interested in becoming a PBPC member? All PBPC members receive a variety of benefits that provide their organization a voice in Washington, while helping them stay up to date on the latest policy developments, communicate with their audiences, access valuable insights, and more. Read about PBPC’s impact in the industry in the 2022 Annual Report. Tiered membership levels are available to fit the needs of any member of the plant-based products supply chain. Visit our website or reach out to PBPC’s Keniece Barbee to learn more.
PLANT-BASED INNOVATIONS
Almost every day we see new developments in the plant-based products space. Here are a few of our favorites that provide insights on the industry today and what’s ahead for circular innovations.
Biofuels Digest: Bioplastic sculptures from External Reference and LaMáquina by Noumena also purify the air in your home
SciTechDaily: Pollution Solution: New Device Can Capture 99.9% of Microplastics in Water Using Wood Dust
Biofuels Digest: Bentley uses biobased tannery chemicals in latest car
SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS & NEWS
As more consumers seek environmentally friendly products, corporations are adapting to meet these demands through more sustainable solutions. Here are some of the top stories covering these trends and providing insights on the latest industry news.
Forbes: New Partnership Aims To Boost Circular Economy In Puerto Rico
Plastics Today: Bioplastics Startup Verde Takes ‘Disruptive’ Path to Circular Economy
Grist: The true cost of climate pollution? 44% of corporate profits.
GOVERNMENT UPDATES
With environmental reform being a top priority for the Biden Administration, there are constantly new developments in the regulatory space. Here are a few of the top happenings in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, and in the U.S. legal landscape.
Roll Call: McConnell concedes farm bill will be late; Stabenow eyes year-end
Forbes: 3 Key Measures To Advance 2030 Climate Change Goals In The United States
Business of Fashion: What American Fashion Wants From Sustainability Regulation
PBPC MEMBER NEWS
The dedicated work of our members toward a more sustainable future never ceases to amaze us. From setting sweeping environmental commitments, to partnering with others to make sustainable solutions more accessible, to launching new plant-based materials. Below, find some of the impressive work of our members over the last weeks.
Braskem: Braskem and SCG Chemicals join forces to advance in the bio-based Ethylene project in Thailand
Danimer Scientific: Danimer Scientific discusses circular bioeconomy
Eco-Products: Eco-Products releases their annual Impact Report
Eco-Products: Eco-Products discusses composting facilities
good natured products, Inc.: Good Natured report reveals convenience eating, sustainable packaging trends
PepsiCo: How regenerative agriculture became the latest big buzzword in sustainability
PepsiCo: PepsiCo To Eliminate Plastic Bottle Rings
Neste: Neste Partners With Suntory, Eneos, and Mitsubishi to Produce Bio-based PET Bottles
Neste: Neste partners with Japanese companies to produce PET resin for bottles